Abrading or surface finishing machine



Sept. 18, 1934. A. N. EMMOYNS ABRADING 0R SURFACE FINISHING MACHINEFiled March 21 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR @M f 9/- ATTORN EYf Sept.18,1934. A. N. EMMONS ABRADING OR SURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed March21, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wzaz Sept. 18, 1934. A. N. EMMONS ABRADING ORSURFACE FINISHING MACHINE Filed March 21 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORd3 d m ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 18, 1934 ABItADING QR' 'SURFAGE FINISHING MACHINE ArthurN.-Emmons, ;syracuse, N. -Y,, assignor to 'llhe Porter- Cable MachineCompany, Syracuse, NQY., a corporation :of New ,York v AppIication March ZI, 1931, SeriaI No. 524343 Thisinvention relates to abrading'machines, "particularlymachines for finishing surfaces, as floors andtheiikeand hasfor itsjobj'ect a partioularly'simple'and efiieient meansof yieldingly supporting the abrading roller, and at particularly simpleand'efficient mechanism by which a predetermined pressure ,canhe appliedto the roller.

"The invention Consists in the novel features and inthe combinations andconstructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

in describing this invention, reference. is had to ,theaccompanying'drawings inwhichlike characters designate correspondingparts mall the views.

Figure 1 is-a side elevation of vamachinesembod'ying this invention.

Figure ,2 is'tan; enlarged, 'fragmentary elevav.tion, parts beingomitted, showing particularly the, mounting for the abrading roller.

Figure 31 is-an enlarged sectional View -on line 3+3, Figure" 2.

Figure 4 is-a' fragmentary rear elevation partly .insection,.,ofs.therpushQhandle for the; machine .5 and. the means for?adjusting the ,pressure applied to the roller.

.This .fioor surfacing .onabrading machine-com- ,prises' generally, asuitable frame, anqabrading roller,-means for", actuating it, andmechanism; for supporting the roller from the frame including yieldinglyresistant:means acting in opposite dimotions to apply forcein oppositedirections to the roller and the frame; means for increasing the forceof the resistant-means one -or either; di-

. rection, and decreasing the force in the opposite material.

' direction.

The i machine I further comprises yielding or spring 'meansby-which apredetermined pressure :is applied to the roller.

-:In the-illustrated embodimentiof my invention, the ,frameof themachinev includes-i a truckor chassis 1,-iand a carriage 2movablymounted on theframe, thetruck or chassis 1 having front and're'ar supporting'wheels 3, 4, which run on the floor, therear wheel 4=being a castor 'wheel. There are usually two front wheels 3,- and onerear wheel 4. #Preferablyfthe carriage 2 is pivoted at 5 to the chassison a transverse pivot.

' 6 designates the abrading rollerwhich is supported from'the carriage 2in front of the chassis '1. The roller maybe of any suitable form, sizeand construction. It usually comprises a body ordrum having a covering7;.of yielding material around which is wrapped a' sheet 8 .of abradingThis sheet is removably secured tothe roller inany suitable manner. "Theroller is mounted on an axle'lO, the opposite ends of whichareindependently supported directly from'the carriage 2 by' supportingmembers ili having hubs i 12 on the ends of the axle i0, suitableantifricupwardly extending fixed bearings, l5 at the front end of thecarriage 2'; These bearings 15 are in the form ofa bracket which issecured to the carriage inany suitable vmanner as by screws 16. Thebracket together with the depending arms lland abrading roller 6constitute a detachable Vabrading roller. unit, the bracket constitutingthe sole means for supporting the abrading .unit from .the frame.

The yieldingly resistant means are preferably springs, which act inopposite directions on the supporting members l1, and i arepreferablyicompression springsacting in opposite directions on the?spindles'l i, and are here'shown'aslocated in' the spindles 14.

17 and 18 designate the oppositely acting springs which are located inthe hollow-or tubular portion 19 of each spindle 14,'these,. springsthrusting, at .their inner ends against. 'anjabhtimenti 20' "fixedrelativelyto the-companion bearing 15 and extending transversely throughthe spindle 14 I which .is provided .with diametrically oppositelengthwise .fslotsy2 1. through which the abutment 20 extends ,The.spring. 18. thrusts at its .outer end! against. the bottom .of "thehollow portion of the. spindle. and the spring 1'7 thrusts at its outerend iagainstan adjustable memberlin the upper, end-of thespindle asithe.screw v1.22. The downward .moveinent. of "the spindle "under influenceof'the spring l8=-is limited-bye, nutv23, which I have calleda=-leveling wnut, threading on the upper end of theispindleil'nandthrusting against thetupperendlof the -bearing 15. This nut .istadjusta'ble and held in its adjustedposi- .tionby a set screw'24. .Thesupportingmember 11, orllthe spindle "14 thereof ,;has a free upwardmovement within limits. It will be, understood that there is a member 11at eaehend of *the roller, and each member 11 has opposing springs l7,18,.,acting on. an. abutment "20,; a'nd-;the adjustingwscrew. 22, andaleveling nut-23.

'1 If both springs 17.-and'18 areiadiustedequally, opposite ends. of:the rollers- Will-be floatinglysupported. ,Byunscrewingtheiscrews, 2 2,the tenisionbflthe springs 17,. will be decreased relatively to'thesprings18, andthe springs 18 act with greater force downwardly until thedownward movement of the spindle 14 is limited by the leveling nut 23.By tightening the screws 22 so that the springs 17 exert a strongerforce than the spring 18, the roller will have an easier floating effectthan when the springs 17, 18 are balanced, or when the spring 18overbalances the spring 17 as when the screw 22 is backed off so thatthe spring 18 can apply a greater force than the spring 17.

Ihe antifriction rollers in the hubs 12 have sufficient looseness topermit up and down movements of opposite ends of the rollersindependently of each other within limits.

The roller 6 is actuated by an electric motor so mounted on the carriage2 with the greater portion thereof in front of the pivot of the carriage2, so that the weight of the motor tends to tilt the front end of thecarriage downwardly and apply the weight of the motor to the roller. Themotion of the rotor of the motor is transferred to the roller throughsuitable motion transmitting means, here illustrated as a belt 31running over pulleys 32 and 33 mounted respectively on the shaft 34 ofthe motor, and on one end of the axle 10 of the roller. As seen inFigure 2,-the pulley 33 threads on one end of the axle l0 and thrustsagainst the inner ring of the anti-friction bearing 12. The shaft 34 ofthe motor is also connected to the rotor of a suction creating device orblower 36 carried by the carriage 2, the inlet side of the blowercommunicating with a conduit 37 having a nozzle 38 at its end arrangedin juxtaposition to the rear side of the roller to receive the dustcreated by the roller. The conduit 37 is connected by a suitable couplin39 to the carriage 2 to partake of the tilting movement of the carriageand thus hold the nozzlein juxtaposition to the roller in any adjustedposition of the roller.

The motion of the motor shaft is transmitted to the'rotor of the blowerthrough suitable means as a belt i0 running over pulleys 41, 42 mountedrespectively on the motor shaft 34, and the shaft 43 of the blower. Theoutlet end of the blower communicates with a suitable pipe 44, on theend of which a dust collecting bag, not shown, is mounted.

The means for yieldingly supporting the carriage 2 and to adjustablyapply a predetermined pressure to the roller supported by the carriage,or to permit the Weight of the motor 30 to be applied more or less tothe roller 6, comprises yieldingly resistant means acting in oppositedirections on the carriage, and means for increasing the force of theresistant means in one direction, and decreasing the force of the meansin the other direction. The yieldingly resistant means are preferablyoppositely acting springs, and the adjustment of the force of thesesprings is effected by decreasing the force of one spring, andincreasing the force of the other.

, and 51 designate springs acting in opposite directions on the rear endof the carriage 2, these springs encircling an operating rod 52 pivotedat 53 atits lower end to the rear end of the carriage 2, the rodextending lengthwise of a bar or tongue 54 fixed at its lower end to thechassis and having handles 55 at its upper end. The spring 50 isinterposed between a shoulder 56 on the rod 52 and one end of anadjusting nut or sleeve 57 threading through a lug 58 fixed on the bar54, and the spring 51 is interposed between a similar shoulder 59 andthe other end of the nut'or sleeve 57. The rod 52 may be operated bymeans of a lever handle 60 pivoted at 61 to the bar 54 near the upperend thereof so that the handle 60 is in juxtaposition to the handles 55,this lever having an angular arm 62 pivoted at 63 to the upper end ofthe rod 52, or a coupling 64 at the upper end of the rod 52.

When the lever handle 60 is pulled rearwardly into the position shown inFigure 1, the arm 62 pushes the rod 52 downwardly and thus tilts thecarriage 2, so that its front end moves upwardly and holds the roller 6off the floor, or other surface, the pivot 63 extending beyond a deadcenter line bringing the arm 62 against the stop shoulder 65 so that thearm 62 and rod 52 lock toggle fashion.

When the handle lever 60 is pushed forwardly, the arm 62 and arm 52 comeout of a straight line, or the toggle folds, so that the front end ofthe carriage can tilt downwardly, letting the roller 6 engage the floor,or other surface, and the amount of pressure applied depends upon thedifference in tension between the springs 50 and 51, the spring 50tending to push the rod 52 down- Wardly and hence, elevate the front endof the carriage 2 and the roller 5, or to neutralize the weight of themotor 30 and the spring 51 tendor nut 57 upwardly, the tension of thespring 50 is decreased, and that of the spring 51 increased, so that thepressure applied to the roller is increased. By reason of the adjustment57, the pressure of the roller can be varied from'approximately nothingto maximum, which in this particular machine, is ninety pounds, and theoperator can set the sleeve or nut 57 at the proper adjustment for thework to be performed, and need not apply the pressure on the roller bypressing on the handle 60.

Heretofore, it was necessary for the operator to not only guide themachine by means of the handle 55, but also hold the pressure applied bymeans of a handle similar to the handle 60. By means of the springs50'and 51, the operator is relieved of applying and holding thepressure. Also, the springs 50 and 51 spring support the carriage 2 andact as buffer springs, or shock absorbers.

In some work, as for instance, in merely refinishing a floor, orremoving a light coat of varnish, which floor might have undulations init, the nut 57 is adjusted to apply a light pressure to the roller 6, sothat the roller practically floats and follows the unevennesses in thefloor, the springs 17 and 18 of the roller mounting also facilitatingthis floating action. For heavier Work, such as removing a heavy coat ofvarnish, or resurfacing floors and bowling alleys and the like to anexact level, heavy pressure is desired, and the sleeve 57 may beadjusted to lessen the pressure on the spring 50 and increase thepressure on the spring 51, and also the screws 22 of the front rollermounting may be backed off to decrease the lifting tension of the spring17'and permit the springs 18 to act with greater force, so that theabrading roller levels off all uneven nesses or undulations incontradistinction to merely finishing the surface.

lflO

awitlrr-an iupwardlys. extending .bearing,.aniabradin .;'roller,-.: .asupport :therefora having an upwardly extending-spindle extending. intoithe :bearing; the spindle havingzaahollow. :portionzandbeing: formedwitht. lengthwise. slots, a spring. abutment carried 1 J by.theilbearing and extending transversely of: the 'sspin'dle .1 throughthe :slots, springs within the spindle iitlldi thrusting at their;innertends :against -.;:A cover :or shield 66;; istprovided2attheifrontzof the:.frame;:tl'1is beingrsecurediat onexrendi toiithecarriagenandzcurving forwardian'd .downwardg'oyer the rollera 6, T and3913 its: front:endtrabutsgagainst buffers 67 at the ends of forwardextensions 68 10f the supports 11. Thus, .the, shield-, -does notrinterferevwith' the tilting; of the, carriageZ, orthe aunzand down:play. of therollenfi. i'l'he lowerzedge ,of the shield isprovided'rwithaa' bufferzstrip fiQ.

ilncoperation, the. rollerrfi: isnadjustedzto haveza floating action-50fvariousresistances-by. adjusting'; the:screws-.;22; and:ill-601116203895, the leveling xnutsi23, and the-pressurerto beappliedrby adjusting ;the-;nut "57. The :motor -is-.;then:: started :by

..,thr.0wing;a suitablerswitchiiinra-feedacircuit, zandthermachinezguidedsby means:of the-.barortongue .lowsportionraextendingintotthexbearing and: pro- .'videdwithilengthwise slots,.a levelingnutthreading. on the upper end. of? the spindle against the i.upperendzof the bearing;azspringabutment fixed to the lbearing andextending transversely. .of; the spindle s through .the slots, an.adjustingscrew 54. 1 5 Havingonce adjustedthemachine for the pres- :surefor the particular work it is-unnecessary for the-operator :to:givezsany smore1:.attentionj to-Ithe .ipressure by :"manipulatingtheihandle '60.. The roller can be lifted 'dfifithe' fioor atganyrtimere- :rgardless of the pressureladjustmentzby operating :the; handle 750:so that the :lever rarm' 62::and copcrating; rod; 52;,are in :astraightened toggle: posi- "tion. I

WhatrI-Lclaim is: f .11. ;In can; abrading, machine, 4 a :frame. formedwith; an upwardly extending bearing, anabrading roller,:atsupporttherefor' having a-"spindle slidablymounte'd-rin said.bearing,;a spring abutment ::fixed to the bearing;and-oppositely actingsprings thrusting; inzopposite directions against the; abutment and thespindle, said springsrbeingmounted within-i.thenspindledandmeans foractuating the roller.

2. In an abrading machine, a frame formed with an upwardly extendingbearing, an abrading roller, a support therefor having an upwardlyextending spindle extending into the bearing, the spindle having ahollow portion and being formed with lengthwise slots, a spring abutmentcarried by the bearing and extending transversely of the spindle throughthe slots, springs within the spindle and thrusting at their inner endsagainst the spring abutment, and at their outer ends in oppositedirections against the spindle, and means for actuating the roller.

3. In an abrading machine, a frame formed with upwardly extendingbearings, an abrading roller, supports for carrying opposite ends of theroller, the supports having spindles extending into the bearingsrespectively, a spring abutment fixed to each bearing and extendingthrough each spindle, said spindles being slidable in the bearings andon the abutments, and springs acting at their inner ends in oppositedirections against each abutment, and at their outer ends in oppositedirections against the spindle, and means for actuating the roller.

4. In an abrading machine, a frame formed with upwardly extendingbearings, an abrading roller, supports for opposite ends of the roller,each support having a spindle extending into one of the bearings, eachspindle having a hollow portion provided with lengthwise slots, a springabutment extending transversely of each bearing and of the companionspindle through the lengthwise slots therein, springs located in eachhollow portion and thrusting at their inner ends in opposite directionsagainst the spring abutment, and at their outer ends in oppositedirections against the spindle, and means for actuating the roller.

5. In an abrading machine, a frame formed the :-.spring.;abutment, and:at their outer ends in --:opposite directions .nagainst thespindle;anadjusting screw: threading inthe upper :end'ofthespin- :dleand-serving; as. an adjuster common: towboth r springaand means" foractuating the roller.

t 6. :.In' anabrading. machine, .a suitable supporting framei havingcanupright. bearing, a support '2" f or. the roller having at spindlefor-med with a 1101- threading intoxthe upper r :end of the .:spindle,

. springs interposed respectively; between the. bottom of the hollowportionand the abutment,.and i between the abutment and: the; adjustingscrew,

and means for actuating the roller.

7; In an abrading machine; achassis, a-carriage pivotally mounted on thechassis,an;abrading roller, means for supporting the rollerifrom' thecarriage comprising springs arranged; to, apply theirforce in oppositedirections to the rollerand the carriage, andmeans for adjusting thetension of the springs to increase the tension of one,-Janddecreasezthat oft the othenxmeans for. actuating the roller mounted onthe carriage in such position that the weight of the actuating means isv applied to the roller, means for shifting the carriage on its pivot toraise and lower the roller including springs acting in oppositedirections and arranged to apply their force in opposite directions tothe carriage, and means for adjusting the tension of the last namedsprings by increasing the tension of one, and decreasing that of theother.

8. An abrading machine of the roller type including a frame, bearingmembers carried at each side of the frame, spindles slidably mounted insaid bearing members, the abrading roller being journalled between thelower ends of said spindles, each of said bearing members having anabutment, springs acting in opposite directions between the abutmentsand the spindles to yieldingly support the spindles relative to thebearing members, said abutments also forming a guide means to preventthe spindles from rotary movement relative to the bearing members, andmeans for actuating the roller.

9. An abrading machine of the roller type including a frame, upwardlyextending bearings carried by the frame, means for yieldingly supportingeach end of the abrading roller and having spindles extending into saidbearings, operable means common to and acting upon the yieldingsupporting means of the roller to move the roller in contact with thesurface being finished and adjustable yielding means, which inconjunction with said operable means, effects a predetermined pressurebetween the abrading roller and the surface being finished, and meansfor actuating the roller.

10. An abrading machine of the type described comprising a frame,upwardly extending bearing members, a pair of spindles slidably mountedin said bearing members and extending downwardly its , the abradingroller, and means for detachably securing said bearings to the front ofthe frame to permit removal of the abrading roller, the spindles andbearings as a unit, and means carried by the frame for actuating theabrading roller.

11., In an abrading machine of the type described comprising a frame, anabrading unit detachably secured to the front of the frame, said unitincluding a supporting bracket extending across the front of the frameand being provided with a pair of spaced apart upwardly extendingbearings, spindles slidably mounted in said bearings and extendingdownwardly from said bracket, an abrading roller journalled between thelower ends of the spindles, said bracket and spindles constituting thesole supporting means for the abrading roller, means for detachablysecuring the bracket to the frame, and means carried by the frame foractuating the roller.

12. An abrading machine of the type described comprising a frame, anabrading unit detachably secured to the front of the frame, said unitincluding a supporting bracket extending across the front of the frameand being provided with a pair of spaced apart vertical bearings, aspindle slidably mounted in each of said bearings and extendingdownwardly from each of said bearings, an abrading roller journalledbetween the lower ends of the spindles, said bracket and spindlesconstituting the sole supporting means for the abrading roller, meansfor detachably securing the bracket to the front of the frame, wherebyupon detachment of said bracket, the bracket, spindles, and abradingroller are removed from the machine in a unit, and means carried by theframe for actuating the roller.

13. An abrading machine of the type described comprising a frame, anabrading unit detachably secured to the frame, said unit including asupporting bracket provided with a pair of spaced apart verticalbearings, a spindle slidably mounted in each of said bearings andextending downwardly from the bracket, an abrading roller journalledbetween the lower ends of the spindles, means cooperable with eachspindle for adjus ing the same toward and from the bracket, the bracketand spindles constituting the sole support ing means for the abradingroller, means for detachably securing the bracket to the frame, wherebyupon detachment of said bracket, the bracket, spindles, and abradingroller are removed from the machine in a unit, and means carried by theframe for actuating the roller.

14. An abrading machine of the type described comprising a frame, anabrading unit detachably secured to the frame, said unit including asupporting bracket detachably secured to the frame and having dependingspaced apart arms, an abrading roller journalled between the lower endsof said arms, means cooperable with said bracket for adjusting theangularity of the axis of the drum relative to the frame, said bracketconstituting the sole supporting means for the abrading roller, andmeans carried by the frame for actuating the roller.

ARTHUR N. EMMONS.

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